Girl Fatally Shot by DPD Officer During Embrace

Yolanda McNair wants to know why she is planning a funeral for her daughter Adaisha Miller rather than a birthday celebration today.

“The story keeps changing,” McNair said. “There’s no logical reason.”

Miller, who would have turned 25 today, was fatally shot early Sunday morning while attending a party on Archdale in Detroit. Police reports say she was killed when an off-duty Detroit police officer’s pistol fired as she embraced him.

“Instead of giving her a party this week, I’m planning her obituary and funeral,” said McNair as she sat on her west-side Detroit front porch Sunday evening with solemn relatives, neighbors and friends.

The police news release called the 12:30 a.m. shooting “a tragic incident,” but McNair said she cannot understand how it occurred.

Police said that Miller hugged the officer — whose name has not been released — from behind as he was dancing, and the gun discharged.

However, McNair said she also was told her daughter “was being a little flirty” with the officer and the gun fired as they were in a face-to-face hug.

If you’re at a party, she asked, “why do you need a weapon with a round in the chamber?”

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said officers have the option of carrying a gun off-duty but there is no requirement for them to be armed.

A departmental investigation is being conducted by internal affairs, and the officer will be assigned to administrative duties during the probe, Stephens said.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will conduct a separate, independent review of the shooting, said office spokeswoman Maria Miller. Such reviews are standard for shootings involving police officers.

McNair endorsed a second investigation: “Yes, take it to the full extent.”

Miller’s younger brother Shane Miller, 23, said he also wants answers from the officer: “My sister is dead and you’re alive walking around — like you didn’t even know what happened?”

John Goldpaugh, a lawyer for the Detroit Police Officers Association, said, “This was just a freak accident.

“They were having a party and the next thing, a woman is dead. He’s devastated by what happened.”

Goldpaugh, who spent several hours with the officer after the shooting, said the veteran beat patrolman was hosting a party at his home and was dancing with his wife when Miller came up behind him and tugged at his waist.